ECO B29 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Advance Variation

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e5

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Black to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

3… Nd5+0.70

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Advance Variation (B29), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e5, Stockfish 18 recommends 3… Nd5 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.70).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.703… Nd5 4. Nc3 Nxc3 5. dxc3 Nc6 6. Bf4 d5 7. exd6 exd6 8. Qd2
  2. +0.813… Ng8 4. d4 cxd4 5. Qxd4 Nc6 6. Qa4 d5 7. exd6 exd6 8. Bf4
  3. +0.893… Ng4 4. h3 Nh6 5. c3 d5 6. d4 e6 7. Bd3 Nf5 8. O-O

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Advance Variation?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3… Nd5 for Black, continuing 4. Nc3 Nxc3 5. dxc3 Nc6 6. Bf4 d5 7. exd6 exd6 8. Qd2. White is slightly better (+0.70). The next best moves are 3… Ng8 (+0.81) and 3… Ng4 (+0.89).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Advance Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.70: white is slightly better. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the Sicilian Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Advance Variation?
B29. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; B is the volume for semi-open games (other than the French).

Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).